Beauty and Festivities in Pictou County.....

There are four seasons of fun in Pictou County, each staging unique thematic spectacles of indoor and outdoor activities. 

Spring

In Spring, the season of rebirth and rejuvenation, hearts and spirits soar; adrenaline surges like sap from our ancient trees. Maple syrup is produced in impressive quantities in Pictou County and sap tapping time plays host to a number of pancake and maple syrup suppers. In early April follow the skirl of the bagpipes on down a path to the cairn at Knoydart, Pictou County, which recognizes three soldiers who fought in Scotland's notorious Battle of Culloden and who later settled in the area. After the ceremony, make the trek to nearby Lismore Hall and enjoy Celtic cultural expressions from Gaelic singers, story tellers, fiddlers and pipers. Streams are flowing freely and fields are greening in the merry month of May. Check our dates and list of events on the web for the very best in community suppers. Enjoy Pictou County hospitality and some great home cooking. Trenton Park's "Spring into Summer" official opening in June sets the stage as an early introduction to the coming season's fun. Don't miss the Antique Car Show in New Glasgow and the Johnny Miles Road Race which has become one of the premier running events east of Montreal.

Summer
Summer is unquestionably Pictou County's busiest season, with festivals, concerts, ceilidhs, homecomings, celebrations and special events all too numerous to name. Fireworks and family festivities will rouse the visitor during Canada Day Celebrations in Westville from the end of June to July 1 and in New Glasgow on June 30. The Spirit is Highland theme and strong Scottish traditions weave a common thread through many summer events, from the Westville Canada Days to the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee, to the Trenton Fun Fest through to the Festival of Tartans in New Glasgow, the Hector Festival and New Scotland Days in Pictou. 

Museums, galleries, monuments, and historic sites are also poignant reminders of Pictou County's rich culture and heritage. The #2 Construction Battalion monument in Pictou remembers the courage of those who formed the first and only Black Battalion in Canadian military history; the Westray Miners Memorial bears the names and ages of the twenty-six men who lost their lives in the mine disaster of May 9, 1992. The Nova Scotia Museum of Industry located in Stellarton focuses on the human element of industry, telling the worker's story via both stationary and interactive displays. 

The Hector Exhibit Centre and Carmichael-Stewart House take you back in time through the eyes of some of Pictou's most prominent citizens. 
Can't tear yourself away from nature's regalia? Walking trails in and around Pictou County's townships are ideal for the short treks to historical points of interest or long wilderness excursions. The Northumberland Strait is renowned for having "the warmest waters North of the Carolinas" and its beaches such as Caribou, Melmerby, and Big Island provide stunning settings for relaxation and recreation. Sailors can tie up at marinas in Pictou and New Glasgow and stroll along their thriving waterfronts.

Autumn

In the midst of September, as leaves turn their brilliant shades, festivities in Pictou County continue in abundance waiting to be picked. Memories of lobster may linger but apple ciderfests are the order of autumn. The harvest is embraced as a celebration throughout the county. Heaven-sent spots such as Greenhill, East River Valley, New Glasgow Riverfront and the mini Cabot Trail offer hikers and sightseers a splendid view of what may arguably be called the most spectacular fall foliage in the world. 

Winter

Preparations for the Christmas season are made early in Pictou County. By mid-November stores and homes are decked in festive splendor. Various Christmas "tea and sale" events are scheduled, along with several large fairs which are held at the Nova Scotia Museum of Industry and in Pictou at the deCoste Entertainment Centre, where you can experience the enchanting "Christmas by the Sea." Seasonal shopping is a pleasurable sojourn replete with unique gift ideas, great food, and a wealth of whimsical entertainment. 

Treat yourself to some of Pictou County's famous hospitality when you tour one of the selected homes in the community that opens its doors. Houses are adorned with lights and decorations and offer a glimpse of Christmas past and Westville hosts A Festival of Lights. A variety of outdoor activities from November to March both challenge and delight the winter enthusiast. 

Snowmobile racing is held on frozen rivers, and active curling clubs exist in four communities. Sleigh rides departing from French River and Foxbrook Road are always popular. Snowmobilers are pleasantly surprised to find 500 kms of trails offered by the Pictou County Snowriders Snowmobile Club that allow you access from the Town of Pictou, east to Antigonish town and west over the Nova Scotia border into the neighboring province of New Brunswick. Most communities hold winter carnivals throughout January and February and events are open to residents and visitors alike. Besides sumptuous pancake and sausage suppers, they offer family fun, ice sculpting, snow shoeing, skating parties, competitions, and dances.

"Steel Away" for a few hours cross country skiing along the captivating trails awaiting you in Trenton Park. You are sure to leave feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to conquer any challenge that may come your way.

And so there is a time to every season, there is a time to marvel at nature's pristine offerings and a time to experience the four seasons of beauty and festivities in Pictou County.